Call to develop Auckland's roads virtually unanimous

Support for completing Auckland's strategic road transport network urgently is virtually unanimous, the Employers & Manufacturers Association (Northern) says. The EMA was commenting on the major Automobile Association survey released today.

"There is absolutely no doubt left that Auckland's number one concern is the lack of adequate road transport in the region," said Alasdair Thompson, the EMA's chief executive.

"The AA survey's results show 90 to 93 per cent of the public support the completion of strategic highways.

"This makes it virtually unanimous as the views expressed coincide almost to a tee as the main local issue facing Auckland's businesses.

"There's no excuses left to our local politicians but to make land transport their number one priority just as everyone else in Auckland has.

"Auckland's businesses support the urgent development of integrated road and public transport in the region.

"It seems extremely logical that our strategic highway network should include dedicated bus lanes in preference to the extra infrastructure expense that rail demands."

Further comment: Alasdair Thompson tel 09 367 0911 (bus)

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